What's your current geocaching project?

May 26, 2016

Just wondering what everyone is working on? I imagine with challenges being reinstated there are quite a few people working towards putting together a new challenge and hopefully we've also got many here working on other exciting things as well. Could be placing a cache, a cool puzzle or multi, or even just personal geocaching goals. So, whatcha got going?

(I'll post my current project later in the thread to avoid it seeming like it's about my specific thing.)

3.5k · May 26, 2016

Just wondering what everyone is working on? I imagine with challenges being reinstated there are quite a few people working towards putting together a new challenge and hopefully we've also got many here working on other exciting things as well. Could be placing a cache, a cool puzzle or multi, or even just personal geocaching goals. So, whatcha got going?

(I'll post my current project later in the thread to avoid it seeming like it's about my specific thing.)

Two things, basically. One is filling in the blank squares on my Date Found grid. The other is placing some new caches, including some new puzzles. Also I hope/plan to get some new counties and some new Jasmer squares. OK so I guess that's four things. Besides just enjoying getting out and caching!

May 26, 2016

I've built a gadget cache that's basically a birdhouse with a false bottom involving the cacher to activate an electric stick that's mounted internally. Cacher will need to look through a mounted door peephole to see the electric light stick and figure out a way to activate it without touching it. When activated it gives off 3 different colored lights which will correspond to a code for the three digit combo lock on the false bottom which holds the cache. It's not an original idea from me. But it will be the only one of its kind in my neck of the woods. I've got the cache finished but finding an appropriate place for it is a bigger problem that building it.

May 26, 2016

I'm working on a series of five letterboxes themed around the animated series RWBY. They will be inspired by the seasons, which is an integral part of the show.

Spring will be a puzzlebox in a library (painted with flowers)

Summer will be a cache that one must dredge up from the bottom of a lake.

Fall will be approximately 30' up a tree.

And winter will be a fake book in a library.

The final of sorts will be a large ammo box about 20' up a tree. Suspended by a cable and hooked with a carabiner, so it can be taken down from the tree easily.

2k · May 26, 2016

I'm working on my trip to Quebec City, Montreal, and Toronto and the caches the boss coach will allow time for me to try to find! :laughing:

I'm also working on how I might be able to get to Power Island on my kayak this summer, seeing as how MI is my neighbor to the north.

10.1k · May 26, 2016

My projects: Pennsylvania All County Challenge. I have found caches in 34 of 67 counties. Trying to get eight more this weekend. Not sure that will work out though. If I got for a particular one in Lebanon County, I can finish the "Find caches by CO's whose caching handles start with 0 through 9 and A through Z" Challenge. Also, near Erie is the oldest cache in Penna, which I need for the Jasmer Challenge. Not sure I'll finish any of these challenges, but those are my projects. Also hope to finish the Maine County Challenge this year.

2k · May 26, 2016

We are planning a road trip out into the country in July, 4 days on the road just me and my son - hoping to grab 4 old virtuals amongst others. Also tomorrow we are doing our 500th cache, we've planned this for a while, its a cool drive along a pretty rough trail, then a 6km (4 mile) return hike along a ridge and up a bluff, to find a cache in a cave. Pretty excited..... Of course after 2 months of barely a drop of rain, it has been wet this week, and forecast for some more tomorrow.... Short of a cyclone, we are going!

May 27, 2016

I found a really neat park--cool features and great history--but no one seems to know who manages or even owns the land. The DNR says it's owned by the local college, while the local college says that they donated it to the state. It's 60 flat acres of prairie with a 40'tall sandstone formation at one end, and was a tourist attraction/landmark/picnic location as far back as the 1880s. Great spot for a cache if I can find someone to ask permission! It doesn't even have parking or signs right now and hardly anyone knows about it, so my current project is getting a cache out there.

I was also working really hard to put an Earthcache out, but so far none of the neat geologic features around here are very accessible to the public.

May 27, 2016

I have a couple of (older) challenge caches that I'm slowly working on, though I recently completed one I'd been working on for a couple of years.

Should be able to add 3 more countries and 3 more German states this fall during a trip. Just small, local goals otherwise...a couple cache placements I have in mind and a couple others that I started a bit over a year ago before an injury sidelined me from the kind of extended hiking required for them.

6.2k · May 27, 2016

looking to complete my second and third D/T grid, mainly via tree climb caches.

May 27, 2016

An upcoming GeoTour in Spokane, WA.
360 degree circle challenge

Find a cache for every bearing from home. 80 degrees left.
Well travelled cacher

Find a cache in every 5 mile band from home, out to 500 miles. About a dozen bands left.
D/T matrix

Not high on my priority list
365/366 days of caching

May 28, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches. Each stage will have a relatively simple photography related puzzle to calculate the coordinates to the next location. Final stage will have custom artwork for the FTF. Should be fun.

I have all the parts at this point, just waiting to confirm that all the locations are good and won't 'oversaturate' the area. Then placing and listing.

15.4k · May 28, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches.

Good luck getting people to complete all 5 parts. My experience is that non-final containers often acquire "replacement" logs, and then later seekers see the log and assume they're done. (I've become a fan of non-container objects for intermediate stages for that reason.)

May 28, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches.
Good luck getting people to complete all 5 parts. My experience is that non-final containers often acquire "replacement" logs, and then later seekers see the log and assume they're done. (I've become a fan of non-container objects for intermediate stages for that reason.)

If they don't, they don't. I figure it'll be out in the boonies enough that few will go for it at all, and those that do probably like this kind of cache enough to go for them all. We'll see.

May 28, 2016

I found a really neat park--cool features and great history--but no one seems to know who manages or even owns the land. The DNR says it's owned by the local college, while the local college says that they donated it to the state. It's 60 flat acres of prairie with a 40'tall sandstone formation at one end, and was a tourist attraction/landmark/picnic location as far back as the 1880s. Great spot for a cache if I can find someone to ask permission! It doesn't even have parking or signs right now and hardly anyone knows about it, so my current project is getting a cache out there.

I was also working really hard to put an Earthcache out, but so far none of the neat geologic features around here are very accessible to the public.

Ask your county assessor's office. They should be able to tell you who owns the land.

May 28, 2016

Working on grids, best I can -- date found, date hidden, Fizzy, Jasmer, etc. -- I have a business trip planned to Atlanta and Savannah in August, so should be able to grab the oldest caches in Georgia and South Carolina on that trip, too. Even though I live in California, I've actually managed to nick off the oldest caches in Illinois and Massachusetts, so am going to start working on those more deliberately, too.

15.4k · May 28, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches.
Good luck getting people to complete all 5 parts. My experience is that non-final containers often acquire "replacement" logs, and then later seekers see the log and assume they're done. (I've become a fan of non-container objects for intermediate stages for that reason.)

When I reread this, the "Good luck..." part seemed like it might have come across as snarky. FWIW, I didn't mean it that way. I do hope people can experience your cache the way you intended, without being short-circuited by someone else's "replacement" log.

1.4k · May 28, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches.
Good luck getting people to complete all 5 parts. My experience is that non-final containers often acquire "replacement" logs, and then later seekers see the log and assume they're done. (I've become a fan of non-container objects for intermediate stages for that reason.)

If they don't, they don't. I figure it'll be out in the boonies enough that few will go for it at all, and those that do probably like this kind of cache enough to go for them all. We'll see.

You have enough room in the caches to place prominent notices in the intermediate stages that they haven't found the cache yet and should ignore any logs that may have been placed in the bucket. Good luck with the project, it looks like it will be a fun multi!

May 28, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches.
Good luck getting people to complete all 5 parts. My experience is that non-final containers often acquire "replacement" logs, and then later seekers see the log and assume they're done. (I've become a fan of non-container objects for intermediate stages for that reason.)

If they don't, they don't. I figure it'll be out in the boonies enough that few will go for it at all, and those that do probably like this kind of cache enough to go for them all. We'll see.

You have enough room in the caches to place prominent notices in the intermediate stages that they haven't found the cache yet and should ignore any logs that may have been placed in the bucket. Good luck with the project, it looks like it will be a fun multi!

That's the plan. I'm actually going to put a notebook in each that says 'THIS IS NOT THE LOGBOOK!' and instead tell them to draw a picture or write a haiku or something. Like I said before, we'll see how it goes!

As for being snarky Nira, I did read it that way initially but gave you the benefit of the doubt. It is the internet, after all.

5.8k · June 1, 2016

Currently working on trying to close out caches on my wish list in the El Paso area before I move. But I will soon start working on finishing the Virginia county and independent city challenges, since w're moving back to Virginia. (I'd go for the Delorme as well, but I already finished it the last time we lived there.)

4.2k · June 1, 2016

My project is to to reach 1000 Virtuals and 1000 earthcaches. Neither are likely to happen this year, but it's always nice when travel plans can take me closer to the goal. It's a race against time with Virtuals so I am not sure if I will make it. In the meantime, I have a "to do" list that includes several kayak caches, letter box hybrids, and wherigos.

1.9k · June 1, 2016

My project is to to reach 1000 Virtuals and 1000 earthcaches. Neither are likely to happen this year, but it's always nice when travel plans can take me closer to the goal. It's a race against time with Virtuals so I am not sure if I will make it. In the meantime, I have a "to do" list that includes several kayak caches, letter box hybrids, and wherigos.

And I am struggling to get to 50 virtuals. Hopefully very soon - I just need 2 more.

June 1, 2016

I found a really neat park--cool features and great history--but no one seems to know who manages or even owns the land. The DNR says it's owned by the local college, while the local college says that they donated it to the state. It's 60 flat acres of prairie with a 40'tall sandstone formation at one end, and was a tourist attraction/landmark/picnic location as far back as the 1880s. Great spot for a cache if I can find someone to ask permission! It doesn't even have parking or signs right now and hardly anyone knows about it, so my current project is getting a cache out there.

I was also working really hard to put an Earthcache out, but so far none of the neat geologic features around here are very accessible to the public.

You might want to check your county website to see if they have the Plat information online. I know mine does, you can click on any bit of land in the county and it will pull up the records, or the county tax collector / assessor.

June 1, 2016

I'm working on

1) Finishing 366 (138 Days now).

2) Getting out a few caches. I have a puzzle ready now I just need to find a location, think I have one. And I've got plans for a hanging cache that also needs a location.

3) Finishing the South Florida Counties Challenge (Only 8 left).

June 1, 2016

I'm working on getting more geocache types per month. So far I have traditional, mystery, and virtual.

1.5k · June 1, 2016

My goal is this summer to visit each of our 99 active caches and 2 that are temp. disabled, and fix up whatever they might need, like new log books/sheets, swag, etc.

June 2, 2016

I found a really neat park--cool features and great history--but no one seems to know who manages or even owns the land. The DNR says it's owned by the local college, while the local college says that they donated it to the state. It's 60 flat acres of prairie with a 40'tall sandstone formation at one end, and was a tourist attraction/landmark/picnic location as far back as the 1880s. Great spot for a cache if I can find someone to ask permission! It doesn't even have parking or signs right now and hardly anyone knows about it, so my current project is getting a cache out there.

I was also working really hard to put an Earthcache out, but so far none of the neat geologic features around here are very accessible to the public.

You might want to check your county website to see if they have the Plat information online. I know mine does, you can click on any bit of land in the county and it will pull up the records, or the county tax collector / assessor.

I made the mistake (kidding) of figuring out who was in charge of our region's DNR Nature Preserves and asking for a person to contact. He was very helpful but went the extra step of talking with the state headquarters. They say no caches on nature preserves because it will draw too much foot traffic. I guess they really don't want people out there, which is a shame. Ah, well--on to the next thing, I guess!

2k · June 2, 2016

I found a really neat park--cool features and great history--but no one seems to know who manages or even owns the land. The DNR says it's owned by the local college, while the local college says that they donated it to the state. It's 60 flat acres of prairie with a 40'tall sandstone formation at one end, and was a tourist attraction/landmark/picnic location as far back as the 1880s. Great spot for a cache if I can find someone to ask permission! It doesn't even have parking or signs right now and hardly anyone knows about it, so my current project is getting a cache out there.

I was also working really hard to put an Earthcache out, but so far none of the neat geologic features around here are very accessible to the public.

You might want to check your county website to see if they have the Plat information online. I know mine does, you can click on any bit of land in the county and it will pull up the records, or the county tax collector / assessor.

I made the mistake (kidding) of figuring out who was in charge of our region's DNR Nature Preserves and asking for a person to contact. He was very helpful but went the extra step of talking with the state headquarters. They say no caches on nature preserves because it will draw too much foot traffic. I guess they really don't want people out there, which is a shame. Ah, well--on to the next thing, I guess!

We're not allowed to hide physical caches in nature preserves here in Indiana, but ECs are fine, assuming you get permission from the landowner, create an EC that isn't similar to any nearby ones, and is not off the existing trails. I would assume a Wherigo that walks you through would be fine, as long as the final was outside the grounds.

1.9k · June 2, 2016

My project is to to reach 1000 Virtuals and 1000 earthcaches. Neither are likely to happen this year, but it's always nice when travel plans can take me closer to the goal. It's a race against time with Virtuals so I am not sure if I will make it. In the meantime, I have a "to do" list that includes several kayak caches, letter box hybrids, and wherigos.

And I am struggling to get to 50 virtuals. Hopefully very soon - I just need 2 more.

Got my 2 virtuals last night, now off to sign the challenge.

June 2, 2016

Biggest thing on my list is finishing my Hidden Month grid. Got 5 year 2000 months to fill, going to take a road trip later in the Summer to try and rectify that!

2k · June 2, 2016

My project is to to reach 1000 Virtuals and 1000 earthcaches. Neither are likely to happen this year, but it's always nice when travel plans can take me closer to the goal. It's a race against time with Virtuals so I am not sure if I will make it. In the meantime, I have a "to do" list that includes several kayak caches, letter box hybrids, and wherigos.

Gee.... a pocket query shows I have 17 virtuals within 500 miles of my home..... I think for me to get anywhere near 1000 I'd actually have to visit the US!

2k · June 2, 2016

So mine is a 5 part multi, all being 5gal bucket size caches. Each stage will have a relatively simple photography related puzzle to calculate the coordinates to the next location. Final stage will have custom artwork for the FTF. Should be fun.

I have all the parts at this point, just waiting to confirm that all the locations are good and won't 'oversaturate' the area. Then placing and listing.

The containers look great - always good to see some effort and care go into making a cache.....

1.9k · June 3, 2016

I am trying to finish my Fizzy grid, but some of those squares are just tricky. But I'll keep picking at them, whether I finish this summer or not is a different question.

2k · June 5, 2016

One project coming together..... no 5 gal containers.... but no micros!

5.8k · June 8, 2016

One project coming together..... no 5 gal containers.... but no micros!

Unless those PET preforms have a lot of room inside, I'd still consider them a micro. A "small" cache can contain a trackable, and I doubt that you'd get a travel bug dog tag in there.

But then size, like difficulty and terrain, seems to differ by region. I've seen PET preforms, pill bottles, and magnetic key hides listed as small caches in one area, as micros in another, and mixed in others. Such is life.

Anyway -- good luck with the project!

15.4k · June 8, 2016

Unless those PET preforms have a lot of room inside, I'd still consider them a micro. A "small" cache can contain a trackable, and I doubt that you'd get a travel bug dog tag in there.

A lot of preforms have a volume less than 100ml as well, which puts them squarely in the micro size: "micro: Less than 100ml"

2k · June 8, 2016

Looking at the definition, they are 'smalls', with a volume of 120mL. You might squeeze in a dog tag, especially a slim one, but it would be tight with a log sheet.

Edited June 8, 2016 by lee737

June 9, 2016

Double Fizzy and double Jasmer. Fizzy won't be hard. Jasmer.....we'll see

1.4k · June 9, 2016

Planning for two major trips by the end of the year. 6 weeks in Europe, when I hope to get 13 new countries and 7 weeks round the world to add a further 4 countries and, possibly, 9 US states.

I currently have 50 GSAK databases dedicated to various parts of the trips - one for each city and one for each journey between cities. I'm busy culling caches so I have a reasonable number of target caches in each database.

The first trip will help me complete a few challenges, since I hope to find several of the Challenge trail caches in Florida during the second trip. I'm also planning on 5 countries in a day when driving from Amsterdam (Netherlands) through Belgium, France and Germany to Luxembourg and 4 US States in a day when driving from Pensacola to New Orleans.

June 12, 2016

We're working on the awesome Mt Rainier geotour in celebration if the Natl Park Centennial. We just finished the WA state parks centennial geotour at the end of April, and loved that one, but it took us 3 years I think before we got 50 of the state parks. Rainier is going faster for sure, al though there are still 50 more caches that are coming online yet in July and October, so we'll be at this one for awhile as well.

June 12, 2016

Getting to my 100th find and releasing some TBs in Va Beach when we are there next week.

June 12, 2016

I'm building an arduino-powered gadget cache called "Timing is Everything." The premise behind it is that the container (plastic ammo can) will automatically unlock at the top of each hour, for one minute. This allows the cacher to open the container, sign the log and exchange goodies. At all other times it will be locked and the cacher will be unable to open it. It will also display the current time on a seven segment display to let them know how much time they have to wait. Power won't be a problem, since it only comes to life when the "outer door" of the container is opened. Otherwise, a low power real time clock (RTC) is keeping the time with a button battery. It will be hidden in the desert so that it won't be confused with something explosive. I've built several other caches with similar components Gadget Cache. I'm just waiting for the RTC module to be delivered.

2k · June 12, 2016

I'm building an arduino-powered gadget cache called "Timing is Everything." The premise behind it is that the container (plastic ammo can) will automatically unlock at the top of each hour, for one minute. This allows the cacher to open the container, sign the log and exchange goodies. At all other times it will be locked and the cacher will be unable to open it. It will also display the current time on a seven segment display to let them know how much time they have to wait. Power won't be a problem, since it only comes to life when the "outer door" of the container is opened. Otherwise, a low power real time clock (RTC) is keeping the time with a button battery. It will be hidden in the desert so that it won't be confused with something explosive. I've built several other caches with similar components Gadget Cache. I'm just waiting for the RTC module to be delivered.

Sounds great - I'd be concerned of some idiot forcing it though.....

Also - as a finder I'd appreciate a clear definition of when it will be unlocked in the description, and the RTC to be accurate enough so you could plan your arrival at GZ.....

June 13, 2016

I'm building an arduino-powered gadget cache called "Timing is Everything." The premise behind it is that the container (plastic ammo can) will automatically unlock at the top of each hour, for one minute. This allows the cacher to open the container, sign the log and exchange goodies. At all other times it will be locked and the cacher will be unable to open it. It will also display the current time on a seven segment display to let them know how much time they have to wait. Power won't be a problem, since it only comes to life when the "outer door" of the container is opened. Otherwise, a low power real time clock (RTC) is keeping the time with a button battery. It will be hidden in the desert so that it won't be confused with something explosive. I've built several other caches with similar components Gadget Cache. I'm just waiting for the RTC module to be delivered.

Sounds great - I'd be concerned of some idiot forcing it though.....

Also - as a finder I'd appreciate a clear definition of when it will be unlocked in the description, and the RTC to be accurate enough so you could plan your arrival at GZ.....

Great advice, and I'll absolutely apply it to the description.

June 17, 2016

I'm building an arduino-powered gadget cache called "Timing is Everything." The premise behind it is that the container (plastic ammo can) will automatically unlock at the top of each hour, for one minute. This allows the cacher to open the container, sign the log and exchange goodies. At all other times it will be locked and the cacher will be unable to open it. It will also display the current time on a seven segment display to let them know how much time they have to wait. Power won't be a problem, since it only comes to life when the "outer door" of the container is opened. Otherwise, a low power real time clock (RTC) is keeping the time with a button battery. It will be hidden in the desert so that it won't be confused with something explosive. I've built several other caches with similar components Gadget Cache. I'm just waiting for the RTC module to be delivered.

Sounds great - I'd be concerned of some idiot forcing it though.....

Also - as a finder I'd appreciate a clear definition of when it will be unlocked in the description, and the RTC to be accurate enough so you could plan your arrival at GZ.....

Great advice, and I'll absolutely apply it to the description.

Finished my "Timing is Everything" cache, GC6KHV3. It should be published soon.

Timing is Everything

June 17, 2016

I'm building an arduino-powered gadget cache called "Timing is Everything." The premise behind it is that the container (plastic ammo can) will automatically unlock at the top of each hour, for one minute. This allows the cacher to open the container, sign the log and exchange goodies. At all other times it will be locked and the cacher will be unable to open it. It will also display the current time on a seven segment display to let them know how much time they have to wait. Power won't be a problem, since it only comes to life when the "outer door" of the container is opened. Otherwise, a low power real time clock (RTC) is keeping the time with a button battery. It will be hidden in the desert so that it won't be confused with something explosive. I've built several other caches with similar components Gadget Cache. I'm just waiting for the RTC module to be delivered.

Sounds great - I'd be concerned of some idiot forcing it though.....

Also - as a finder I'd appreciate a clear definition of when it will be unlocked in the description, and the RTC to be accurate enough so you could plan your arrival at GZ.....

Great advice, and I'll absolutely apply it to the description.

Finished my "Timing is Everything" cache, GC6KHV3. It should be published soon.

Timing is Everything

Looks great! I'd wait around for that since the wait is now only 15 minutes. If this was in the desert and you missed your window there would be no sticking around for an hour in the summer.

15.4k · June 17, 2016

So, whatcha got going?

I think I'll attend a mega-event tomorrow...

June 17, 2016

Just a few things this year.

Completing my Found Date Calendar (currently at 336 of 366)
Completing my Placed Date Calendar (currently at 362 of 366)
In the planning stages for a bit of Geo-art to support the local caching groups fall event

July 8, 2016

To make my 10,000th find in the Arctic Circle

October 11, 2016

My brother and I do alot of caching together. Our two main projects are finish doing the home work and getting out to find all of the Michigan Geo-Art series, and they're opening up a new recreational area north of a nearby town, so we're building 9 gadgets cahe to place out there. Oh, and of course, we working ob our Michigan Counties challenge (62 out of 83)

What's your current geocaching project?

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